Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1887-01-20
Death OF Hon. John A. Cummings, p. s.
d., knights OF Honor.

Death Of Hon. John A. Cummings, r. 8.
D., Knights OF Honor
Many members of the order of X. of
II. are readers Of the HERALD AND TRm-
USR, and the following sketch Of the life
Of Mr.. Cummings, the chief officer Of The
order, will be of interest to them.
Mr.. Cummings died at his home in
somervillc, Mass. January Q, 1887. Of
paralysis.
John Adflon Cummings, past supreme
dictator OF die Knights of Honor, was
born In Nelson. N. H., January 10, 1888.
His early education was obtained in the
common schools Of his native town, and
from the reading and study Of literature
as his humble and ambition to
learn could command. He o develop
ed a liking for public assemblages. At
fourteen he took Q years course In high
school. and then a three years appren-
ticcship at the printing business. So
marked was his development, ut the g
of IL, wherfa mere STRIPPING physically,
he became foreman of quite q large print.
ing Office in Keene, N. Ii. Having saved
sufficient money in a year to crafty his
desire for education q little further, he
entered the Scientific and Literary In
stitute In New London, N. H., where he
remained two years, teaching school dur
ing the winter. He then began the study
of law and continued it until the war
broke out, when he was among the first
to enlist. Hewas commissioned q lieuten-
ant in the 9th N. II. Volunteers, at the
age of 23, and served three years in that
regiment in the Army of the Potomac
and In the West. He was then made
major OF the list N. ii. Cavalry and serv-
ed witt sheridan until the close of the
war. He wal successful In his military
career, and stood high among his com.
radcs.
After spending two years in the West,
he returned to Boston and entered in the
printing business in 1867, which he has
since continued with marked success. He
took up his residence in Somerville, and
and being publisher Of the Somerville
Journal In 1912, his frank, open man.
ner and general knowledge Of law and
politics, won him an immediate place in
the confidence and good will of the COM
munity. He especially interested himself
In legislative affairs.
In 1874 he was elected TO the Massa.
chusetts Legislature, and served two
years, declining a third term. He had
charge Of several Of the most important
measures introduced by his committees,
because Of his readiness as a debater,
knowledge of parliamentary law and
judgment as q manager.
In 1877 he was chosen q member of the
Somerville Aldermanic Board in place OF
the lateYJ. G. b. Rand, resigned. BY a
iattering vote he was reelected the fol-
lowing year.
In 1881 he was taken from his retire
ment and elected mayor, which Office he
filled for four consecutive years, having,
practically, no opposition to his second
and third terms, and being unanimously
chosen for the fourth.
Mr.. Cummings early Joined the hide
pendent Order Of Odd Fellows, and pass.
cd through the chairs of his lodge. lie
had long been an active member of the
G.. A. r., and was also q member of the
A. 0. U. W., A. l.. of H., and several
other societies. He was the first signer
OF the first petition fer the first X. Of H.
lodge In Massachusetts,, and became o
charter member of Boston Lodge, No.
1874. He was elected past dictator Of
Warren Lodge, Of Somerville, at its in
stitution. In 1876, when the grand lodge
was formed, he was elected grand dicta-
tor and representative to the supreme
lodge. and the same year was elected SUI
preme vice dictator. In 1878 he was Gle.
waited to the office Of supreme dictator.
As supreme dictator his two administra.
tionst sl,.e marked by energy, economy
and HnAhkiaTs :
In 1877, giving up all hopes Of secur,
ing m additional benefit and O change In
the scale of assessment in the X. of H.
he joined DR.. Wilson in organizing the
Royal Arcanum. The honor of first su.
preme regent was urged upon him, but
pressing business engagements compelled
him to decline. He accepted the position
OF past supreme regent and chairman Of
the committee on Laws, of which com
mittee he continued chairman until hi
death.
His late work In the u of beneficial
associations has been in the establishment
of the Eastern Associates, the organiza
ton Of the Supreme Council of the HON,
Circle, OF which he was supreme treas
urcr OF the time of his death, and in til,
Royal Society Good Fellows, of who's,
supreme body he was a member and at til,
time OF his death supreme treasurer.
Mr.. Cummings leaves a widow ant
six children, to whom the sympathies o.
the thousands of his fraternal friends ar,
extended. The funeral occurred on Sun
day, the 9th instant.